---i obviously disagree with this but always good to read the other side----------
Doug Bowman
HokieHaven.com Staff Writer
<SCRIPT language=javascript> if ((bIEWindowBrowser) && (navigator.appVersion.indexOf("MSIE 6.") != -1)) document.write("<div id=outercontainer style='height:220px;'>"); else document.write("<div id=outercontainer>"); document.write("<div id=contentcontainer style='font-size: " + currentsize + "pt;'>");</SCRIPT>Talk about it in
The Gobbler
What makes for an ideal atmosphere at Lane Stadium? ACC game? Check. Nationally ranked team? Check. Night game? Check. Day of the week is Thursday? Check. ESPN? Check. Coming off a whipping of Duke last Saturday; the Hokies will play host to Boston College, in an atmosphere that is sure to be crazy. The Eagles enter the contest undefeated and have a potential Heisman trophy candidate leading them in quarterback Matt Ryan. With the injury bug hitting the Hokies at just the wrong time, will the Hokies be able to defeat BC? Let's take a look at the position by position analysis to figure it out.
Quarterback
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Ryan is the key to the Eagle offense.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- End Image-->Virginia Tech: No it wasn't Tyrod Taylor who threw for over 200-yards last week. It was Sean Glennon. Benched earlier in the year, Glennon came in after Taylor went down with an ankle injury and showed a few traits that made him the four-star prospect he was coming out of high school. Glennon had an increased zip on the ball since the last time we saw him and threw every ball right on the money. Along with that, it appeared like Glennon had moxy in the pocket Hokie fans have never seen. He played with confidence and had confidence in every throw he made. Taylor is still recovering from the high ankle sprain and it will be a close call as to whether or not he can play. With the performance Glennon put up last week, and the general timetable for a return from that type of injury, this writer puts his vote in for Glennon to make the start, even I am in the minority.
Boston College: The Eagles bring perhaps the top quarterback in the nation to Lane Stadium in Ryan. It seems Ryan has been starting since the end of the Flutie days as he has gobs of experience. The new coaching staff gave Ryan more freedom and he has responded with his best season yet. He has the arm strength, accuracy, smarts, and guts needed to pick a defense apart. He has thrown for over 2,100 yards, 17 touchdowns, and six interceptions. The Hokies will need to play their best game yet in order to shut down Ryan.
Recap: The questions once again abound for the Hokies and a controversy could be brewing. There is no controversy for the Eagles. Ryan is the man. Advantage Eagles.
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Tech will need to monitor Callender.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- End Image-->
Running Back
Virginia Tech: Last week, the rushing game continued to be mediocre. Branden Ore once again didn't show his 2006 burst and "led" the team with 37-yards on 17 carries. His backup, Kenny Lewis had 13-yards but carried one into the end zone for a touchdown. Without Taylor, the Hokies would lose a considerable portion of their running game. Look for the week and a half to allow Ore to rid himself of the nicks and bruises and maybe show a sign of life.
Boston College: The Eagles have two running backs that aren't flashy, but get the job done. Andre Callendar has carried most of the load, running for 627-yards and eight touchdowns. The other back is L.V. Whitworth, who is a bruiser of a runner, and has rushed for 282-yards and three touchdowns. These guys need to get this rushing game going or else the Hokie defense will smell blood, and go in for the kill.
Recap: The Hokies running game is suspect to say the least. Advantage Eagles.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Virginia Tech: For weeks I have been saying that this could be one of the best receiving corps in the nation. Last week, they came alive in a big way. Sam Wheeler had four catches for 94-yards, Eddie Royal had six catches for 90-yards and a touchdown, Josh Morgan had four catches for 68-yards and two touchdowns, Justin Harper had five catches for 62-yards, and Josh Hyman had a 20-yard reception. More importantly, when Glennon came in, the receivers got the ball and made the play. They didn't let Glennon make the play for them. With the kind of talent these guys have, Glennon should just be the guy that gets them the ball. Let them be the playmakers.
Boston College: A rather unheralded group gets overlooked because their quarterback makes it look very, very easy. The leading receiver is Brandon Robinson who has 402-yards on 30 receptions. Rich Gunnell has the same amount of receptions and 333-yards. Ryan's favorite and most dependable wide out will continue to be Kevin Challenger who has 313-yards. These three have caught a total of 10 touchdowns and form a very respectable group that the Hokie secondary has to take seriously.
Recap: Tech's unit has the ability to be great, while Ryan will make the unheralded Eagle unit play well. Advantage neither.
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Cherilus is a major reason for the success of the Eagle line.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- End Image-->
Offensive Line
Virginia Tech: There is no doubt that the return of Ed Wang strengthened the offensive line in all areas. Wang played extremely well for a man coming off a broken ankle in his first game ever at right tackle. Nick Marshman moved back to his best position of guard and played his best game yet too. Sergio Render, a supposed strength to the line, has proved to be a major question mark the last couple weeks. He will need to play with passion to regain his spot on the offensive line.
Boston College: The offensive line is a major reason Matt Ryan gets to do the things he does. They are second in the conference in sacks allowed and eighth in the nation. They open up the holes in the running game and give Ryan the time to let him make the throws. This group is led by a couple experienced plays who guide a few youngsters to make things work cohesively.
Recap: Boston College's group is solid; Virginia Tech's is still improving. Advantages Eagles.
Defensive Line
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Ellis will need to have a big game to disrupt the BC offense.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- End Image-->Virginia Tech: This part of the line has had a major role in the improved play as late and needs to continue to play well. Chris Ellis has improved his consistency, Barry Booker has been solid, and Carlton Powell has returned to form after an earlier bencher. This line has a chance to make a big impact if they can get consistent pressure on Ryan and force him into settling for small chunks and not the home run.
Boston College: The defensive line is one of the key components that has the defensive unit ranked 33rd in the country in sacks. Leading the way are Ron Brace and Nick Larkin who each have two sacks respectively. This group puts the pressure on the quarterback and holds up blockers, allowing the linebackers to roam free. They once again aren't flashy, but get the job done.
Recap: The Eagles are respectable, the Hokies are scary. Advantage Hokies.
Linebackers
Virginia Tech: Some say the quadriceps is the strongest muscles in your body. If that is the case, the Virginia Tech linebackers were the quadriceps of the team. With the loss of Vince Hall and possible loss of Cam Martin, this group has turned into more of the triceps of the team. Xavier Adibi still makes this group good, but Brett Warren will be making his second career start and if Martin cannot go, then it will be Cody Grimm's first career start. Adibi will have to step up and become the vocal leader that Hall was and lead this group throughout the game.
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Dunbar is a playmaker on the Eagle defense.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- End Image-->Boston College: This group is led by Alex Albright, who has a stunning six sacks so far on the season, 21st in the nation. JoLonn Dunbar is also a key member as he is second on the team in tackles with 53. Mark Herzlich is the third ranked tackler on the team with 43 total tackles. They run around and wrap up well but just like most of the rest of the Eagles, they aren't flashy.
Recap: The Hokies have a couple key losses but still have talent. The Eagles have players who do what they do very well. Advantage neither.
Secondary
Virginia Tech: When you think of a group that has made an impact the last few weeks, you think the defensive secondary. Macho Harris has become a shutdown corner to shut down one half of the field. The problem for the opposing teams is the other corner, Brandon Flowers, who is just as much of a shutdown corner as Macho. With two halves shut down, where do you throw? You must throw underneath or down the middle and that will force the safeties to step up. D.J. Parker has stepped into a leadership role this season and has even more with the loss of Hall. He must be the center fielder and prevent the home runs that Ryan will try to hit. Rover Kam Chancellor must be the enforcer on the other part of the field that forces receivers to whimper going across the middle. Look for this group to make to a humongous impact on this game.
Boston College: This group has a pair of nasty corners in Jaime Silva and DeJuan Tribble. Silva is third in the country with five interceptions and Tribble is 15th in the nation with four. They form a dynamic duo that matches up well with Harris and Flowers. They should cause trouble for the Hokie receivers and make them really show their talents.
Recap: The Hokies secondary is playing the best football of their collective lives. The Eagles secondary is playing the best football of their collective lives. Advantage Hokies.
Special Teams
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Beamerball will need to step up again on Thursday.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- End SpTeams celebrate 405 Image-->Virginia Tech: The special teams have returned to form the last two weeks. Starting at Clemson with the multiple returns and continuing last week with the blocked punt. Beamerball is back with a vengeance. The specialists have been good with punter Brent Bowden having an outstanding season and kicker Jud Dunlevy being just as good, although he missed his first field goal last week.
Boston College: Punter Johnny Ayers is 62nd in the nation in punting and kicker Steve Aponvicious, the kicker who inspired the Eagles to a 22-3 win against the Hokies last year has been very solid. The return teams haven't been explosive, as evidence by their lack of a touchdown return this year but they don't make mistakes.
Recap: Beamerball is becoming as nasty as ever. Advantage Hokies.
After reviewing the positions, it's apparent to me that this game will be a great one. Expect it to go down to the wire with whoever makes the least mistakes coming out on top. The atmosphere will be nuts and when Enter Sandman begins; don't be surprised if people in quiet Charlottesville hear it rocking.
Virginia Tech game changer: Brett Warren. Warren will have a big responsibility getting everyone in position and playing good solid run and pass defense.
Boston College game changer: Andre Callender. The running back needs to establish the rushing game because when a team doesn't have the rushing game going, they generally get whacked by the Hokies. Case in point, Clemson the last two years. Also watch out for Billy Flutie maybe coming in for a hail mary.
Prediction: Make it two Thursday's in a row with the same upset score.
Virginia Tech 30 Boston College 27.
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